After 23 years of prison, Bert Boatman has gained his freedom and has reunited with his family.
With skills as a journeyman machinist, welder, plumber and sheet metal, to name a few, Bert is the guy that you wanted on your team to get the job done right. Bert openly and willingly shared his knowledge with anyone. Although, a very conscientious worker you could always count on having fun while working with Bert.
In the words of his peers and staff alike, Bert is known as a fun-loving kind of a guy, who is good-hearted, very dependable, well-rounded, funny and a good family man. As a positive role model for so many people, it is bittersweet not seeing Bert playing tennis, being a pillar in the church and self-help groups, vocational shops and missing his infectious laughter, ha!
A few words from our friend: “Wow! Knowing that I will soon be in the free-world, one of the first things to come to my mind is what a responsibility and blessing it is to be a representation for so many other men. Most of you are just as, if not more, deserving as I to be given a chance to prove our worth, rehabilitation and value to our family, friends and community. I will never forget the love, support and guidance, which helped me to achieve this physical freedom. I thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart and the depth of my soul for not giving up on me. You taught me a lesson in compassion, patience, and tolerance that goes beyond anything else that I have ever known. I am a much better person because of you all. I especially thank God for putting some good men in my life. Thank you Hector, Stephen, Noel and Mr. Hill for all the work you have each done in my case and in others. You brought me hope and showed me how to hold my head high. I also need to thank Father Barber for being a strong spiritual guide and adviser. To Curly Joe, I love you man and I will never forget you.
We are all so happy that Bert has taken this big step forward in the next chapter of his life. A good friend says of this “country boy with a city attitude,” that, “anyone who knows Bert will miss him very much.” How true! Bert, we all love ya’ and you will be in our thoughts and prayers.
